Privatized military housing is now being inspected by all the military service branches. The Navy and the Marine Corps join the Army and Air Force by examining 100% of the PPV, or public-private venture, housing on military bases. The change to inspections was a listed requirement as part of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

 The Marine Corps began inspections via an independent contractor on January 18, 2022. The Navy began inspections in the fall of 2021. The completion of inspections will be complete by October of 2022, the beginning of Fiscal Year 2023. Per a release by the Navy in the fall of 2021, the inspections are being conducted by Jacobs/HDR JV and each inspection would be signed off by a certified inspector.

The inspections include interior and exterior inspections with special attention to heating and cooling systems in addition to landscaping, equipment drainage, common areas, and building systems. Any concerns seen by the inspectors are to be reported to the military housing office and the housing management company. The reports include physical and operational assessments of the homes.  These inspections being added to the 2020 NDAA was in response to a Reuters series revealing concerns found in privatized housing. The Department of Defense then released a tenant bill of rights for service members and began the move to inspect homes. Inspection notices go to tenants two to three weeks prior to the scheduled inspection and then a reminder is sent 48 hours prior to the inspection.

The Army began inspections in January of 2021 with completion intended to be September 2021. The Air Force has not released an update on when inspections began or the goal of completion.

The results of the inspections are shared not just with the local base but will eventually be shared with the base commanders in addition to Congress.

Want to read more about the recommendations for inspections from the Government Accountability Office? Check out this 2020 release here.

If you live on a military installation, has your home been inspected?

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17^th and brings with it a flurry of green and rainbow decorations in addition to edible-colored snacks. If you are looking for some fun ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your kids this month, look no further.

Recipes

Rainbow Donuts

This one is perfect for those not looking to do any baking or preparation. All you need are colored sprinkles of the rainbow, white frosting, coconut shreds, and prepared donuts. Cut the donuts in half so they are semi-circles. Cover in white frosting and place springs in the ROY G BIV color array making a rainbow. At the end of the rainbows, add extra frosting and coconut shreds for “clouds.” If you have coconut shreds on hand and food coloring, you can make your own “sprinkles” of various colors and decorate the entire donut in coconut shreds.

Leprechaun Hat S’mores

If you have Oreos, marshmallows, and melting chocolate on hand – this recipe is for you. Melt chocolate and cover the oreo and marshmallow with it. Put the chocolate-covered marshmallow on top of the chocolate-covered oreo while we allow cooling. You now have a top hat. Decorate with green frosting or roll the cookie in green sprinkles for a festive green rim that any leprechaun would be sure to wear.

Lucky Pancakes

Add green food coloring to pancake mix to make it extra festive. Top with marshmallows from the Lucky Charms cereal and viola – a breakfast worthy of the leprechauns.

Lucky Krispies

Speaking of marshmallows from the Lucky Charms cereal, toss the mallows in with melted marshmallows and rice krispies with green food coloring and you have another sweet treat for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

Green Yogurt Parfaits

Add green food coloring to yogurt and layer it with granola for a breakfast parfait. Want to make a layered dessert? Layer brownies and pudding colored with green and topped with whipped cream and green sprinkles.

Rainbow Cake

Looking for a ‘gram-worthy cake and have some leftover M&Ms? Make a two tired cake and cover with frosting. Separate the colors and do one color in a line at a time. The beauty is it can be any cake flavor you want.

Activities

Leprechaun Masks

Cut out a circle from the inside of a paper plate and paint or color it orange. Then add a cut out of a top hat and you’ve got a leprechaun mask. Just add green clothing for an entire outfit!

Shamrock Suncatchers

Cut out a shamrock out of green construction paper and cut the inner shape for an outline of a shamrock. Cut out clear contact paper of the same size and add it to the shape. Inside the contact paper line cut up tissue paper and tape the design to the window. It will catch the luck of the Irish and the colors of the sun.

Rainbow Banner

Construction paper in strips and a white construction piece of paper in the shape of a cloud make a rainbow decoration to add a pop of color to the wall.

Shamrock Wands

Cut out a shamrock shape and glue it to the end of a popsicle stick. Add ribbons for an extra fun flare, and glue on glitter onto the shamrock if you desire. Beware the glitter will get everywhere.

Virtual Offerings

Check to see if a local dance studio will be offering virtual Irish step dancing lessons. Or perhaps there will be a virtual offering of a St. Patrick’s Day parade. This is a fun way to participate no matter where you live or are doing throughout the day. Maybe even check out a language learning application to learn some Gaelic in honor of the special day.

St. Patrick’s Day has a long tradition and various ways of celebration.  Learn some of the history and the language in celebration of the day. How will you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year?

While it is still winter, and snow is on the ground in some places, it is the time of year to plan ahead for the summer. Summer camps release dates and times and quickly fill up, so now is the time to find and pick summer camps. If you are looking for a way to send your military kids to camp, and potentially save a little money while you are at it.

4H Military Partnership Camps

These 4H camps are designed specifically for military-connected children. Each camp length and time differ per state, so check out the locations and information about each camp here.

Camp Corral

Camp Corral is a camp for children ages 8-15 who have a parent who is wounded, ill, injured, or fallen. Camps are located all over the United States. Camps are free of charge to military families with a $30.00 refundable deposit to hold the position. Camps vary in length and style based on the location of the camp.

Camp Trotter

The camp in Michigan offers five weeks of one-week long camp for seven to twelve-year-olds with military parents. The Camp is operated by the Department of Michigan and Veterans of Foreign Affairs and is taking applications now. There is a $300 fee for the camp.

DOD Starbase

The Department of the Defense Youth Program provides fourth, fifth, and sixth graders with STEM-based education at National Guard, Marine, Air Force, and Army bases around the United States. There are 70 locations across the United States this summer, check them out here.

Military Teen Adventure Camps

For teens of active duty, guard, reserve, and retired military personnel, military teen adventure camps offer a unique outdoor camp at no cost. There are funds available to help with transportation as well. You can search camps by location and date.

Operation Purple Camp

The National Military Family Association offers Operation Purple Camp in the summer. It is a camp for military children, typically ages 8 and up, and offers overnight camps. The camps vary in availability and location and fill up quickly, so check out the camps now. Campers enjoy activities including music, nature programs, swimming, boating, athletics, and leadership activities.

Operation Camp Program

The Armed Services YMCA offers a camp program through their Operation Camp Program. The offerings range from day, overnight, and holiday camps depending on the local branch. Some local branches, like ASYMCA San Diego, have the Horse of the Sun Ranch which offers equestrian camps. The program is offered at a no-cost or low cost, depending on the activity.

Operation Xtreme

This summer camp CRISTA Camps offers summer overnight camps for children of active duty, reserve, and retired military at the western-themed Miracle Ranch in Washington. The rates are based on rank, so are at a sliding rate. Gold Star families’ children can attend fee-free. The overnight camp offers activities like canoeing, disc golf, archery, high ropes, horseback, and arts and crafts.

Have a favorite summer camp you send your military kids to? Let us know in the comments!

The Marine Corps is updating its policy on leave allowed for secondary caregivers, often referred to as Permissive Temporary Additional Duty or PTAD. The update comes from Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs increasing the previous 14 days leave to 21 days of leave. Per Major Jordan Cochran from Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs, this “will further improve Marine and family readiness, as well as recruiting, retention, and overall talent management of the force.”

This policy is also updated for the Navy with a total of 21 days of leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Per Vice Admiral John Nowell Jr, the Chief of Naval Personnel, the “Navy is dedicated to supporting our new parents, and we fully understand that our families are as much a part of our service as our Sailors.”

These policy updates are short-term solutions “while we await more significant changes anticipated as part of [the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act]” which has a proposed change of paid parental leave for up to 12 weeks for all service members.  The authorization was signed into law in 2021 but requires Congress to pass the defense appropriations bill for funding to be assigned and available for these changes.

The Army and Air Force have had 21 days of parental leave. The Air Force has a Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP) that provides non-chargeable leave entitlements following the birth or adoption of a child as long as the Service Member meets the eligibility requirements.  The Army’s policy of 21-day of non-chargeable leave has been policy since 2019 and can be used within one year of the birth or adoption.

The flexibility for non-chargeable leave is a growing topic of discussion. Some large civilian companies offer up to 20 weeks of paid time for mothers and up to 12 weeks of parental leave for other new parents. These additions are welcome changes as per Pew Research, the United States is the only country that lacks government-mandated paid parental leave across the board in comparison with 40 other countries.  

If your family has received military orders recently, you are probably already looking in every housing website and group for housing at your next destination. You have probably called the on-base military housing to scope out wait times, neighborhoods and maybe even sent in an application. It doesn’t hurt to have options, right? If you are moving to an area where the waitlist for on-base housing is 12+ months, and off-base housing has either low availability or pricing that is not supportable within Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), you might be looking for other options. While you might have to rent that house that is $500 above BAH, and that’s without utilities, you are probably looking for other options as well. So, what other options are there?

Long Term Stay Hotels

Check out chain hotels for “extended stay hotels” that offer larger hotel rooms with amenities that can make hotel living doable for a short period of time. Most of these hotels offer free breakfast, and maybe even free meals for dinner on weekday evenings.  They also offer free nights for stays longer than several nights or offer weekly rates which can lower the overall cost of the stay. If you are looking to cook, most extended stay hotels have a kitchen or kitchenette In with varying appliances depending on the location and brand. While the larger room and kitchen may make it feel like an apartment, it is still very much a hotel This means they may offer daily or weekly housekeeping dropping off coffee and tea and laundry service for towels and sheets. Bonus if there is a pool at the hotel property for burning off kid, and adult, energy at the end of the day. It can be fun for a short stay and make the wait for housing feel more like a vacation than an added stress. Some of these hotels are also pet-friendly, meaning you do not have to board your pet while staying at them.

Temporary Lodging Facilities

Temporary Lodging Facilities, or TLFs, are military hotels that are made with the idea of extended stays – whether it is for those who are coming to the base for training or for PCSing. The TLFs often have a kitchen in some form – usually a stovetop, fridge, freezer, and microwave. Some even have grills on the ground adding extra cooking ability, especially if you do not have an oven and you really want that pizza. TLFs usually have laundry in the hotel, or even may be available in each individual room. This allows for doing laundry all time of day, versus having to find a laundromat. These facilities offer rates based on rank, so usually don’t add up beyond BAH in a total month, or near it.

On Post RV Campground

So you can’t find a house at your next location, or you have a projected 6-12 month wait for on-base housing. If you have an RV, an RV campground is a great place to live. There are many military bases that offer RV campgrounds on the post. This means you can get a lay of the land in regard to the areas around the base and even schools if you have kids to make the best housing decision you can with more information. If you have been looking at getting an RV for your move and can’t find a home, maybe this is the sign to make the purchase. It can be a large purchase and shouldn’t be done simply because you do not have a home lined up. But if you have already been looking and planning on getting an RV, maybe this is your sign. Even if you can’t get a spot at the RV Campgrounds on base, look off base!

Crash At A Friends

This is not ideal for a long-term solution. It’s already rough moving with your teen for the third time in four years, but if you have a family friend that is at the new duty station who is willing to host you and your family and may even help in the transition of the move, this might be ideal for a few weeks. Think of it as one long staycation. Navigating a stay with friends can be tricky and should only be done when both parties can clearly outline expectations on both sides. Free or cheap lodging isn’t worth losing a friendship over.

Geo-Bach It Temporarily

Geo-Bach or Geo-Bachelor is a term used for when the service member goes to the next duty station unaccompanied, or without their family. While it is usually used for those who choose to, or it is deemed necessary for medical reasons, separate from the time of the tour, it can also be done in the short term. If you have a house where you currently live, is it possible to extend where you are while looking for a place to live at the new location or waiting for base housing? If you are on base, will the current military housing allow you to stay while waiting for housing at the next location? If you are locked into a lease at your current location, will the landlords allow you to move later if the military orders have already been executed without financial penalty? This isn’t ideal for everyone and is very much a personal choice, this can provide flexibility in an unknown housing world.

What do you do when you are waiting for on-base housing or can’t find a rental out in town?

Caregivers caring for a special needs family member or a member with an injury have a lot on their plate. Knowing where the resources are on the military post and how to get them allows for the caregivers to have the time they need for themselves all while caring for the family member.

Exceptional Family Member Program

The Exceptional Family Member Program, or EFMP, was established to ensure that family members with health needs would only be moved by the military to locations where those services could be continued. Each military installation has a EFMP office with coordinators there to ensure which services are available and how to get them.  

One program through the EFMP program is Respite Care. Respite care available for each family is different for each branch of service. If you are in the Navy or in the Army, it will not be the same across the board due to the different funding resources for each branch of service. Reach out to your local EFMP office to know what respite care is covered. The idea of respite care if provide a well-trained caregiver to care for the family member with additional needs all while giving the family caregiver a well-deserved and needed break.

Counseling

Caring for an injured or special needs family member adds unique challenges for the caregiver in the family. Non-medical counseling is available on Military One Source via telephone, in person or through live video sessions. There are phone numbers for both OCONUS and CONUS locations.

Medical counseling is available through the military health insurance, TRICARE. At the time of this writing, Telemynd is covered for telehealth counseling services.

The Military and Family Life Counseling Program through the Military and Family Support Center on the military installation offers non-medical counseling for all military-connected family members. They offer in-person counseling both on and off base, allowing for flexibility of the military family. Find your base program here.

Did you know that Military One Source offers Health and Wellness coaching? These coaches can help with managing stress and healthy eating habits. Call the Military One Source number to get in contact and learn more about the services here.

Caregivers Empowering Caregivers

The CEC program through Blue Star Families offers workshops connected caregivers to create peer networks while also sharing resources. These workshops are currently offered virtually but will transition to in-person as able.

Military Veterans Caregiver Network

Become part of a network of military-connected caregivers by competing for this form through Blue Star Families.

Other Resources

The National Alliance for Caregiving is a network and resource for unpaid caregivers caring for those with a mental health condition.

Operation Family Caregiver is a program through the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving that offers peer-to-peer networking for the military caregiver.

Psych Armor is a not-for-profit that offers free online education for military-connected caregivers.  

Here is a downloadable list of resources for military-connected caregivers.

Deployments among military families are a commonality. While the operational tempo seems to have slowed in comparison to a decade ago, deployments are a normal part of military life. Deployments are not enjoyable for military children at any age. It is a time when one parent is across the world, unavailable for regular and usual communication. It can be especially difficult if the deployed parent is the one who does bedtime or the usual driving for the Saturday activities. Deployment is a change in pattern, no matter what is going on.

Can we all agree that being a teen is challenging? It is a time of building on self-esteem and evaluating body image to include the stress of academics and activities while developing character. Add in the challenge of family separation from a family member with the added worry about that family member during deployment and it can be a difficult situation to manage.

Communication

With as much lead time as possible, have an open discussion with the teenager about the deployment. Talk about expectations for the deployment from home and for the service member. Set aside time to allow for your teen to ask questions that may have come up later after the initial discussion. Having these open times for conversation can allow for more time to go over any questions or concerns. If able, turn off any distractions to allow for full attention to the conversation.

Communication continues after the initial discussion, and throughout the deployment. Review how this will happen – through letters, email, or applications like What’s App. This expectation setting helps set the tone for the deployment. Put up a calendar with the expected months of the deployment so there is a clear picture. This visual may be common for younger children, but it is helpful for all ages to have a timeline to return to and review.

Plan Together

As part of the communication, set up expectations for changes in responsibilities during deployment. Allow for a two-way discussion on what will change, what will stay the same, and overall plans. Write up a checklist, or a chart for the change in responsibilities. If it works for your family, decide on a reward system. Adding things to look forward to during deployment help change the focus to positive things to look forward to.

Planning together can continue during deployment. Maybe involve your teen in planning a trip for after deployment. Email back and forth with the deployed parent discussing ideas can keep communication open and allow for an activity to build on the relationship.

Alone Time

As much as possible, plan time for the service member and the teenager for a special outing or activity. Maybe it is to a movie of mutual interest, putt-putt golf, a new video game, or a beach day. There isn’t a magic outing, the idea is to just spend time together. Do what you enjoy together.

Routine, Routine, Routine

During deployment, any parent of young children will tell you to maintain a routine. Keep the routine and it will keep the family dynamic stable. This is still the same for teenagers. It is the same for adults. While teens may have more ability to be flexible in their daily schedules as they get older, teenagers still do well with routines which outline expectations.

Resources

Each military branch has community or family services with programming for families. There is programming for teenagers specifically – often monthly. These programs not only provide military-specific tools to help teens navigate military life but also gets other teens together. Network, community, and support are key to surviving deployment, no matter the age of the person. These teens have something in common – a military parent. Check with the military unit to see if they have gatherings of teens in the unit to get together bringing them together to build relationships.

Counseling

If your teen demonstrates the inability to cope, resume normal activity, or is more withdrawn or aggressive for over two weeks during deployment, these might be signs that there is difficulty in adjusting to the change. Follow-up with your child’s primary care provider, getting connected with Military Family Life Counselors, chaplains, or Military One Source counselors.

There are so many varied responses to deployment as a teen. Military Kids Connect has great text and videos for families and teens to read and review. These can be great ways to communicate about expected feelings or current emotions.